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WTO Database for Regional Trade Agreements

WTO Database for Regional Trade Agreements. WTO Workshop on PTAs 4 November 2010. Transparency Mechanism. improves existing RTA transparency provisions outlines specific guidelines for the provision of RTA data

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WTO Database for Regional Trade Agreements

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  1. WTO Database for Regional Trade Agreements WTO Workshop on PTAs 4 November 2010

  2. Transparency Mechanism • improves existing RTA transparency provisions • outlines specific guidelines for the provision of RTA data • charges the Secretariat with the preparation of a factual presentation of all RTAs notified to the WTO • requires the establishment of a public database on RTAs (paragraph 21).

  3. A WTO Database on RTAs • Mandate – (Para 21 of WT/L/671) • The aim is to provide an RTA Information System (RTA-IS), to store, maintain, analyse and disseminate factual and analytical information on RTAs • Objectives • Standardize, store, verify and maintain RTA-related textual information and RTA tariff and trade data • Provide statistical indicators for RTA analysis • Enhance the transparency and accessibility of information on RTAs through its dissemination on the WTO web site • Timeframe • January 2009 available to the public (http://rtais.wto.org) • Long term goal to provide up to date information, including data on trade and tariffs covered by individual agreements.

  4. A WTO Database on RTAs • Contents • All RTAs notified to the WTO and GATT (notifications under Article XXIV, Enabling Clause and GATS V) that are still in force. • Contents of Each RTA “ID Card” • WTO consideration process: Early announcement, notification, factual presentation, notifications of changes and notifications of completion of implementation. • Consideration at the meeting of the CRTA or CTD including questions and replies and minutes. • External links to the parties’ websites for texts and any annexes to each agreement • Statistical indicators for RTA analysis at the tariff line level including any staged implementation (only for RTAs subject to a factual presentation). • For older agreements that have already been examined, factual abstracts providing basic coverage of the agreement

  5. A WTO Database on RTAs • Search facility • By WTO Member • By criteria (eg. free trade agreement notified in 1990, or FTAs notified by the United States in 2009 etc.) • By provision, (eg. agreements that include provisions on competition policy and anti-dumping) or • By Agreement name (ASEAN) or string (for instance Asia) • Summary information and a list of all RTAs in force

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